

What influences your inner voice?
70 snips Jan 4, 2025
Ethan Cross, a University of Michigan psychology professor and author of "Chatter," explores the fascinating world of our inner voice. He delves into the origins of our internal dialogue, shaped by cultural and parental influences. Cross discusses how our inner voice can be a double-edged sword, aiding self-reflection while also fueling negative emotions. He emphasizes the importance of reframing anxiety as a potential driver for growth and examines how different cultural contexts shape our self-talk. Techniques like prayer and meditation are suggested to manage mental chatter.
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Inner Voice Universality
- The inner voice, using language for reflection, is a capacity of all well-functioning minds.
- It's part of verbal working memory, essential brain hardware, but varies in how people use it.
Forms of Inner Speech
- Inner speech isn't always full sentences; it ranges from soundbites to monologues and dialogues.
- Single words can hold complex meanings, triggering further thoughts.
Speed of Inner Thought
- We think faster than we speak due to the mechanics of vocalization.
- Inner thought can be more efficient, conveying complex meanings with few words.